Final answer:
Humanism in psychology is characterized by an optimistic view of human potential and growth, contradicting the false claim that it focuses on negative qualities and the inability to change. It promotes the idea of self-directed change and self-actualization, as seen in the theories of Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that humanism focuses on a person's negative quality and its effect on his or her inability to change is false. Humanism, as a psychological approach, is known for its optimistic view of human beings and their innate potential for growth and self-actualization. It emphasizes that humans have the capacity for self-directed change and the realization of their full potential.
Humanistic psychology, considered as the "third force" in the discipline, arose as a response to both psychoanalytic and behaviorist approaches. Contrary to the deterministic views of these schools, humanism posits that people are not merely passive recipients of environmental influences or driven by unconscious impulses.
Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory is a prime example of humanistic psychology's positive outlook on human nature. It suggests that all humans have inherent needs that motivate them towards higher levels of psychological development and well-being, culminating in self-actualization.